Boot &amp; binding rotation apparatus

ABSTRACT

A boot and binding rotation apparatus, which is compatible for use in sky, ground, water, ice, and ski board sports and related “extreme” sports. The apparatus is preferably used with boards, skis, and comparable items including, for example, water and snow skis and boards, wakeboards, skateboards, surfboards, and sailboards, and skateboard-type devices adapted for use on ice surfaces. The boot and binding rotation device includes a base plate that has a stance adjust key assemblage and a ring mount flange. The base plate preferably receives a hole pattern for mounting to the sporting device. A retainer ring is mounted about or to the base plate and is formed with a retainer race surface about an interior circumference. The retainer ring rotatably captures a rotator disk. The disk is preferably formed with a stance adjuster receiver and a rotator race surface. The race surface is adapted to cooperate with the retainer race surface to form a circumfluent raceway, which can be a scarf or half lap butt splice joint. The rotator disk is further sized and adapted to substantially cover and protect the base plate from the elements and to receive a footgear mounting hole pattern, which mounts the binding or footgear worn by the user. Preferably, the receiver releasably captures a stance adjuster, which can be a quick-release-type pin, that is adapted to engage the stance adjust key assemblage to relatively and adjustably fix the rotator disk relative to the base plate.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a boot and binding rotation apparatusthat is compatible for use in sky, ground, water, ice, and ski boardsports and related “extreme” sports and, more preferably with boards,skis, and related items including, for example, skydiving boards, water,and snow skis and boards, wakeboards, skateboards, surf boards, and sailboards, and skate board-type devices adapted for use on ice surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various snow and water sports have in recent years seen theincreased use of a variety of skis and runners that have taken the formof a single board, which is used much like the skateboard and thesurfboard and sailboard used in water sports. In the most commonapplications, the sports enthusiast and board rider uses one or bothfeet to control a single board while traversing the medium of choice,including snow, water, air, and earth. The traditional skateboard hasbeen modified into a snowboard, a wakeboard, a board capable oftraversing downhill in loose earth, sand, gravel, and grass, and eveninto a skydiving board. In the past, skateboarders, surfers, andsailboarders (hereafter referred to collectively as “boarders”) haveused boards that included a non-slip, top surface that facilitatedcontrol of the board instead of foot retainers, shoes, boots, andbindings, which are commonly used in, for example, higher-speed alpineand slalom skiing sports. Boarders usually control their boards byshifting and leaning their feet to adjust the center of gravity forward,aft, and side-to-side on the board during travel.

[0003] In recent years, the various types of sporting boards have becomemore sophisticated and have experienced increased use of control andsafety enhancing devices adapted to refine the control capability and toprotect against injuries due to “wipe-outs” or spills. Such devices haveincluded releasable and non-releaseable foot retainers, boots, shoes,and bindings, and related apparatuses. There has been a substantialdebate over whether releasability or non-releasability is the safestmethod and both sides have proffered reasonable and meritoriouspositions.

[0004] With the increased use of improved safety and control devices,boarders have experienced tremendous growth in the number ofopportunities and applications for board-type sports activities.Activities that were previously viewed by many as “extreme” sports, havenow become more accessible to the average board sports enthusiast. Forexample, common board sports now include use of various types of boardsnot only in the traditional skate, water, and ski activities, but alsoin skydiving and wakeboarding, and in non-conventional metropolitanderivative sports using modified skateboards that are adapted for usewith icy surfaces and to slide along hand railings, down stairs, alongthe top edges of walls and other suburban landscaping accouterments.

[0005] Many attempts have been made in the past to improve the state ofthe art in the field of such recreational board sports and variousrelated so-called extreme sports. However, such prior attempts havefailed to overcome many shortcomings, which affect the ease of use andconvenience, maneuverability, and reconfigurability of the various typesof board devices. Additionally, most attempts fall short of addressingthe need for improved safety and control devices, while others are oftenentirely incompatible for use with the off-the-shelf and readilyavailable boarding equipment. In the example of skateboards, snowboards,wakeboards, and skydiving boards, control and safety retaining deviceshave been incorporated which allow that boarding enthusiast to mounttheir feet to the board with their toe-to-heel adjustably orientedgenerally from between a forward-to-aft to a side-to-side position.While the many benefits of improved safety and control devices aredesirable to most boarding enthusiasts, in each of the notedapplications and situations, failure prone, cumbersome, and expensiveretainer and binding mechanisms are generally unjustifiable.

[0006] In two examples, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,520,406 and 5,890,730to Anderson et al., a snowboard binding is disclosed that is limited toa device that includes, among other elements, a binding including asnowboard mounted frame frictionally mated thereto with a frictionalgasket. Anderson purports to teach rotational adjustability of the framein a geometric plane parallel to the plane of the board by loosening ofthe mounting bolts. Anderson et al. also recognize the importance ofreducing the amount of snow and ice that collect in the binding so as toimprove operability during use. A snowboard binding is also disclosed byJenni in U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,594, which is restricted to a binding thatincludes many limitations including a mounting disk that is bolted to asnowboard to secure the binding base plate. Like the Anderson et al.binding, the Jenni base plate may be rotated in a geometric planegenerally parallel to the board by loosening the bolts of the mountingdisk.

[0007] A snowboard binding that includes a spinning disk mounted bindingthat is frictionally engaged by a tension wire is described by Grindl inU.S. Pat. No. 5,820,139. Grindl's device is limited to a binding thatcan be operated in either a free-spinning mode or a fixed position mode.In both modes, Grindl's device appears to be especially susceptible tothe type of snow and ice buildup expressly contemplated by Anderson etal.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,419 to Knapschafer discloses a rotationalbinding for a free style snowboard that is limited to a snowboardbinding having a toe foot and base plates and cooperating heel base andfoot plates that purport to enable rotation of a user's foot along anaxis from the toe to the heel and in a geometric plane that is generallyorthogonal to the plane of the board.

[0009] Each of the prior art apparatuses of record herein discloses oneor more devices that incorporate significant shortcomings. Specifically,what has been expressly recognized as being a needed and useful featureis a binding that enables adjustability so that the boarder can finetune and optimize a stance that maximizes comfort and control, and whichcan be adjusted. Also, prior references have recognized the need tominimize the impact of snow and ice buildup on the operability of thedevice during use. This need also exists in non-now sports where salt,dirt, dust, and debris can similarly reduce the effectiveness of theboard safety and control components. Moreover, while a wide variety ofbindings and related equipment has been discussed in the prior art, fewsuccessful attempts have demonstrated compatibility with the myriaddevices commercially available to consumers.

[0010] What has been needed but heretofore unavailable, is an apparatusthat not only easily accommodates a wide variety of board sportingequipment, but which can also be adapted without undue burden tofacilitate improved control of various types of boards in a variety ofsporting activities in an economical feasible and easy to install anduse manner. Moreover, the preferred apparatus should be easily adaptedto perform well with any of the aforementioned activities and in all ofthe board configuration described above and contemplated herein.

[0011] The present invention meets these and other needs without addingany complexity, inefficiencies, or significant costs to procurement anduse of widely available boarding equipment and related components suchas and including those mentioned above. The various embodiments,modifications, and variations of the present invention disclosed hereinare readily adapted for ease of manufacture, low fabrication costs, andimmediate compatibility with both the boarding equipment presently inuse and the various activities engaged in by the board sportsenthusiasts.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0012] In its most general sense the present invention overcomes theshortcomings of the prior art in any of a number of generally effectiveconfigurations. In one of the preferred embodiments this inventionincludes a boot and binding rotation device that is compatible for usein sky, ground, water, ice, and ski board-type sporting activities andrelated “extreme” sports. The apparatus is preferably used with boards,skis, and similar sporting equipment such as, for purposes ofillustration but not limitation, snow and ski boards, skydiving boards,water and wakeboards, surfboards, sailboards, and skateboards andsimilar devices adapted for use on ice surfaces.

[0013] The preferred boot and binding rotation device includes a baseplate that has a stance adjust key assemblage and a ring mount flange.The base plate is preferably adapted to receive a hole pattern formounting to the sporting equipment or device. A retainer ring is alsoincorporated that is mounted about or to the base plate and which isformed with a retainer race surface about an interior annulus orcircumference. A rotator disk is rotatably captured against the baseplate by the retainer ring and preferably includes a stance adjusterreceiver and a rotator race surface. The rotator and retainer racesurfaces are cooperatively configured and arranged to form acircumfluent raceway substantially in the form of a bevel or scarf orhalf lap butt splice rotating joint.

[0014] The rotator disk is further sized and adapted to substantiallycover and protect the base plate from the elements and specifically fromthe buildup of dust, dirt, grime, debris, salt, snow, and ice. The diskis also adapted to receive or to include a footgear mounting holepattern that can be selected for compatibility with and mounting of awide range of commercially available foot gear such as foot retainers,boots, bindings, and the like.

[0015] Preferably, the receiver releasably captures a stance adjuster,which can be a quick-release-type pin, that is adapted to engage thestance adjust key assemblage to relatively and adjustably fix therotator disk relative to the base plate.

[0016] The present invention also contemplates an embodiment andvariations of the preceding embodiments that preferably include a stanceadjuster that is releasably captured by the receiver, and which isadapted to releasably or fixedly engage the stance adjust keyassemblage, which adjustably fixes the rotator disk about and relativeto the base plate. More preferably, in this variation, the stanceadjuster is selected to be a quick-release, quick-engage shear-type pinthat cooperates with the stance adjust key assemblage, which assemblageis formed from a hole pattern of one or more holes that are sized toreceive the pin. In other variations and modifications of the preferredembodiments, an actuator lanyard may be attached to the stance adjustervia a ring attached to the stance adjuster.

[0017] In yet other preferred embodiments, a device is possible that isalso adapted to incorporate at least one rotator post carried from therotator disk, as well as at least one rotator stop mounted to theretainer ring. The post and stop are preferably arranged to engage oneanother to thereby limit the range of motion or rotation of the disk. Ina variation of any of the preceding embodiments and alternatives, the atleast one rotator stop may be mounted to the retainer ring to limit therange of rotation of the disk by being adapted to engage either theaforementioned stance adjuster, or alternatively, the toe or heel oranother portion of footgear that is mounted to the boot and bindingrotation device. In yet other modifications, the at least one rotatorstop may be mounted to the footgear and adapted to engage a post orcooperative stop mounted to the board.

[0018] The present invention also contemplates variations andmodifications to the previously described embodiments wherein theraceway includes retainer and rotator race surfaces that are configuredto form a scarf splice rotating joint, which may take the form ofcooperatively formed beveled surfaces and the like. In alternativearrangements, the retainer and rotator race surfaces may be designed toform a half lap butt splice rotating joint, or any of a number ofcomparably suitable raceway and joint configurations.

[0019] These variations, modifications, and alterations of the variouspreferred embodiments may be used either alone or in combination withone another as will become more readily apparent to those with skill inthe art with reference to the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments and the accompanying figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Without limiting the scope of the present invention as claimedbelow and referring now to the drawings and figures, wherein likereference numerals across the several drawings, figures, and views referto identical, corresponding, or equivalent elements, features, andparts:

[0021]FIG. 1 is top, planform view, in reduced scale, of a boot andbinding rotation device according to the present invention mounted to asporting board and with certain hidden lines removed for illustrationpurposes;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a view, in enlarged scale, of the apparatus of FIG. 1with some structure removed and certain other structure depicted withhidden lines;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a detail view, in reduced scale, of the base plate ofthe apparatus of FIG. 2;

[0024]FIG. 4 is a detail view, in reduced scale, of the retainer ring ofthe apparatus of FIG. 2;

[0025]FIG. 5 is a rotated section view, in enlarged scale, taken alongsection line 5-5 of the component of FIG. 4;

[0026]FIG. 6 is a detail view, in reduced scale, of the rotator disk ofthe apparatus of FIG. 2;

[0027]FIG. 7 is a rotated section view, in enlarged scale, taken alongsection line 7-7 of the component of FIG. 6;

[0028]FIG. 8 is a rotated section view taken along section line 8-8, inenlarged scale, of the apparatus of FIG. 2;

[0029]FIG. 9 is a rotated section view taken along section line 9-9, inenlarged scale, of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2; and

[0030]FIG. 10 is a detail view, in enlarged scale, of a portion of theapparatus of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0031] The boot and binding rotation apparatus of the instant inventionenables a significant advance in the state of the art of ground, air,water, snow, and ice sporting activity boards that are adapted for awide range of activities enjoyed by enthusiasts. The preferredembodiments and described and contemplated modifications of the boot andbinding rotation apparatus accomplish this by new and novel componentsand arrangements of elements that are configured in unique and unobviousways and which demonstrate previously unavailable capabilities.

[0032] With reference now to the accompanying figures and specificallyto FIGS. 1 and 2, a boot and binding rotation device 100 is shownattached to a sports board, which is generally configured, for purposesof illustration but not limitation, substantially in the shape of asnowboard that is designated generally by reference letter “S”. Alsodepicted in the various figures for illustrative purposes is arepresentative typification of a type of footgear “B” that can be aretainer, restraint, boot, shoe, binding, or similar type of apparatusadapted to allow a user to ride the board “S”.

[0033] The boot and binding rotation device 100 includes a base plate120. With additional reference also to FIG. 3, it can be understood thatthe base plate 120 incorporates a stance adjust key assemblage 130 and aring mount flange or annulus 140. For applications where the base plate120 will not be joined to other components and elements with welding oradhesives, the ring mount flange 140 is preferably configured with ahole pattern 142 of a plurality of threaded mount holes 145.

[0034] The stance adjust key assemblage 130 is preferably incorporatedin an annular region of the base plate 120 diametrally interior to thering mount flange 140. The stance adjust key assemblage 130 can beformed from any of an equally suitable selection of structures,including, for example and without limitation, an annular margin 137that includes toothed or notched projections. More preferably, thestance adjust key assemblage 130 incorporates a hole pattern thatincludes holes such as holes 135, as can be appreciated with continuedreference to FIG. 3.

[0035] Preferably, the base plate 120 is also configured to receive ahole pattern of board mounting holes 150 that can include a plurality ofone or more holes that may be predrilled and positioned forcompatibility with industry standard hole patterns that are prevalent inboard-type sporting equipment and devices available from a large numberof manufacturers and suppliers. Although a pattern of 6 holes 150 isshown in FIG. 3 for purposes of illustration, the base plate 120 isreadily configured to receive patterns of one or more board mountingholes 160. In addition to being configured for mounting directly to theboard “S”, the holes 150 may also be adapted for mounting to anreleasably adjustable, sliding track (not shown) that can, in turn, bemounted to the board “S” to allow adjustment of the stance of the userin at least one or two degrees of translational freedom.

[0036] The base plate 120 can be formed from any of a wide variety ofsuitable, high-strength, low-weight, sheet materials including polymericand metal materials. It has been found that a high-strength stainlesssheet stock steel is well suited for purposes of the present inventionsince in sheet form it is relatively low-weight yet exhibits excellentcorrosion resistance, and strength and fatigue characteristics.

[0037] With continued reference to the previously identified figures andreference also now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the present invention alsoincorporates a retainer ring 160 from materials similar to that of thebase plate 120. Preferably, the same materials are used, and if not,then electrochemically compatible materials are used to avoid potentialadhesion and galvanic coupling and corrosion problems.

[0038] The ring 160 is mounted about or to the base plate 120 preferablyby welding or high-strength epoxy adhesives. More preferably, the ring160 is formed with fastener holes 165 that are arranged to cooperatewith the holes 145 of the base plate 120, which together receivefasteners 170 (depicted in FIG. 2) to mount the ring 160 to the baseplate 120.

[0039] As can be understood with reference now also to FIG. 5, the ring160 also incorporates at least one retainer race surface 180, 185 aboutan interior annulus or circumference 190. Although non-coplanar surfaces180, 185 are illustrated in the various figures, coplanar and contiguoussurfaces are also contemplated as described in more detail below.

[0040] As illustrated with continuing reference to the preceding figuresand next also to FIGS. 6 and 7, the instant invention further includes arotator disk 200 that is captured against the base plate 120 by theretainer ring 160 for rotational motion generally depicted by the arrowdenoted with reference letter “A”. The disk 200 is adapted to rotatewith at least one rotational degree of freedom within the retainer ring160 and against the base plate 120 to enable adjustment of the stance ofthe board enthusiast during operation and use, and as described in moredetail below.

[0041] Being made of similar materials as that of the base plate 120 andthe ring 160 for the reasons described in connection therewith, therotator disk 200 may also be coated on the surface that contact theother components with a graphite, petroleum-based, polymeric (such aspolytetrafluoroethylene), polydisulfide, or vapor deposition appliedlubricant. Many of such lubricants can also be selected to reduce theoccurrence of electrochemical interaction between the materials and withextraneous contaminants, thereby reducing adhesion and corrosion, andimproving performance of the rotator disk 200.

[0042] The rotator disk 200 also preferably incorporates a stanceadjuster receiver 210 and at least one rotator race surface 220, 225. Ascan be appreciated with further reference also to FIG. 8, the rotatorand retainer race surfaces 220, 225 are cooperatively configured andarranged to form a circumfluent raceway 230 substantially in the form ofa bevel or scarf (not shown in the figures) or half lap butt splicerotating joint (as reflected in FIG. 8).

[0043] The rotator disk 200 is further sized and adapted tosubstantially cover and protect the base plate from the elements andspecifically from the buildup of dust, dirt, grime, debris, salt, snow,and ice. This is accomplished is various ways, preferably including, forexample, a substantially close-tolerance mating and fit between therotator disk 200 and the retainer ring 160. Also, minimizing or morepreferably eliminating apertures or other openings in the disk 200 canimprove the contamination protection afforded by the disk 200. These andother similar methods can be employed either alone or in combination toreduce the opportunities for the introduction of contaminants into theinterstices formed in the raceway 230 and beneath the disk 200 that areformed between the disk 200 and the base plate 120.

[0044] The rotator disk 200 may also be further adapted to receive or toinclude predrilled a footgear mounting hole pattern 250 having one ormore holes 255 that can be arranged and selected to have compatibilitywith and mounting of a wide range of commercially available foot gearsuch as foot retainers, boots, bindings, and the like. Although notshown in the various figures, the present invention also contemplates anadditional mounting plate that can be adapted with mounting bindings,fittings, brackets, or fasteners, which can be mounted to hole pattern250 and which can releasably engage such foot retainers, boots,bindings, and similar devices.

[0045] Suitable types of such additional mounting plates include, forpurposes of illustration but not limitation, those disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,558,355; 5,713,594; and 5,890,730; which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety. Moreover, added degrees offreedom of rotation can be incorporated into the apparatus of thepresent invention by incorporation of additional rotational elementsconfigured to rotate in degrees of rotational freedom that are differentfrom those already described. One such device compatible for use withthe present invention includes, for purposes of example but notlimitation, U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,419, which is also hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

[0046] Preferably, as can be comprehended with reference also to FIG. 9,the receiver 210 releasably captures a stance adjuster 300, which caninclude, for example without limitation, a quick-release-type pin 310biased with a spring 320 and actuated by a handle 330 and push-typebutton 340. The pin 310 may be adapted to engage the stance adjust keyassemblage 130 and/or the holes of pattern 135. In this configuration,the rotator disk 200 can be relatively and adjustably fixed with respectto the board “S” and the base plate 120.

[0047] The present invention 100 also contemplates an embodiment orvariation of preceding embodiments that preferably incorporates a stanceadjuster, such as stance adjuster 300, that is adapted to releasably orfixedly engage the stance adjust key assemblage 130, to adjustably fixthe rotator disk 200 about and relative to the base plate 120. In thismodification and alternative embodiment, the stance adjuster 300 isconfigured with a quick-release, quick-engage shear-type pin adapted tocooperate with the stance adjust key assemblage 300. One type ofacceptable pin includes, for example, without limitation, any of thequick release, shear-type, positive or self locking pins available fromMcMaster-Carr Industrial Supply of Cleveland, Ohio as Model Nos.92384A014, 94975A113, 93750A112, 90293A102, or similar models. Asbefore, in this variation, the assemblage 130 is also preferably formedfrom a hole pattern of a plurality of holes 135 that are sized toreceive the pin 310. In other variations and modifications of thepreferred embodiments, an actuator lanyard 350 (FIG. 9) may be attachedto the stance adjuster 300 via a ring 355 attached to the stanceadjuster 300.

[0048] In yet other preferred embodiments, a device 100 is possible inaccordance with the principles of the instant invention that is furtheradapted to incorporate at least one rotator post 400 (FIGS. 2 and 6)that is carried from the rotator disk 200, as well as at least onerotator stop 420 (FIG. 10) that is mounted to the retainer ring 160. Thepost 400 and stop 420 are preferably arranged to engage one another tothereby limit the range of motion or rotation of the rotator disk 200.

[0049] In a modification of any of the preceding embodiments andvariations, the at least one rotator stop 420 may be modified andmounted to the retainer ring 160 to limit the range of rotation of thedisk 200 by being adapted (i) to engage either the aforementioned stanceadjuster 300 as the disk 200 rotates (not shown in the figures), oralternatively, (ii) to engage the toe or heel or another portion offootgear “B” that is mounted to the boot and binding rotation device 100(not shown). In yet other modifications, the at least one rotator stop420 may be further modified and mounted to the footgear “B” and adaptedto engage a post or cooperative stop, for example but not limitation,such as a modified and adapted post 400 and stop 420, that are mountedto the board “S”.

[0050] Although not reflected in the figures, but which can beunderstood with reference thereto, the apparatus 100 according to thepresent invention also contemplates variations and modifications to thepreviously described embodiments wherein the raceway 230 includesretainer and rotator race surfaces, analogous to surfaces 180, 185, 220,225 that are configured to form a scarf splice rotating joint. Thismodification preferably takes the form of cooperatively formed beveledsurfaces and the like.

[0051] Numerous alternatives, alterations, modifications, and variationsof the preferred embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art and they are all contemplated to be within the spiritand scope of the instant invention. For example, although specificembodiments have been described in detail, those with skill in the artwill understand that the preceding embodiments and variations can bemodified to incorporate various types of substitute and/or additionalmaterials, relative arrangement of elements, and dimensionalconfigurations for compatibility with the wide variety of boards andrelated sporting activities, and with compatible equipment that isreadily available to board sport enthusiasts. As a further example,although what appears to be either a snowboard or skateboard “S” isdepicted in the various figures, the various elements, components, andalternatives also reflected therein are readily compatible for use witheach of the previously described sporting activities includingskydiving, ground, water, snow, and ice sports for which boarders,riders, and enthusiasts employ skis, and wakeboards, skateboards,surfboards, and sailboards, and skate board-type devices adapted for useon ice surfaces.

[0052] Accordingly, even though only few embodiments, alternatives, andvariations of the present invention are described herein, it is to beunderstood that the practice of such additional modifications andvariations and the equivalents thereof, are within the spirit and scopeof the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A boot and binding rotation device, comprising: a base plateconfigured with a stance adjust key assemblage and adapted to receive aboard mount hole pattern; a retainer ring formed with a retainer racesurface about an interior circumference and mounted about the baseplate; and a rotator disk rotatably captured by the retainer ring andincluding a stance adjuster receiver and formed with a rotator racesurface that is adapted to cooperate with the retainer race surface toform a circumfluent raceway, the rotator disk being further configuredto substantially cover and protect the base plate and being adapted toreceive a footgear mounting hole pattern.
 2. The boot and bindingrotation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a stanceadjuster releasably captured by the receiver and adapted to engage thestance adjust key assemblage to adjustably fix the rotator disk aboutand relative to the base plate.
 3. The boot and binding rotation deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the stance adjuster is a quick release pinand the stance adjust key assemblage is a hole pattern of holes sized toreceive the pin.
 4. The boot and binding rotation device according toclaim 2, further comprising: an actuator lanyard attached to the stanceadjuster and operable to actuate the stance adjuster.
 5. The boot andbinding rotation device according to claim 1, further comprising: atleast one rotator post carried from the rotator disk; and at least onerotator stop mounted to the retainer ring to limit the range of rotationof the disk by engaging the at least one rotator post.
 6. The boot andbinding rotation device according to claim 2, further comprising: atleast one rotator stop mounted to the retainer ring to limit the rangeof rotation of the disk by being adapted to engage an item selected fromthe group including the stance adjuster and a portion of footgearmounted to the boot and binding rotation device.
 7. The boot and bindingrotation device according to claim 1, wherein the retainer and rotatorrace surfaces are configured to form a scarf splice joint.
 8. The bootand binding rotation device according to claim 1, wherein the retainerand rotator race surfaces are configured to form a half lap butt splicejoint.
 9. A boot and binding rotation device, comprising: a base plateconfigured with a stance adjust key assemblage and a ring mount flange,and to receive a board mount hole pattern; a retainer ring formed with aretainer race surface about an interior circumference and mounted aboutthe base plate about the flange; a rotator disk rotatably captured bythe retainer ring and formed with a rotator race surface that is adaptedto cooperate with the retainer race surface to form a circumfluentraceway, the rotator disk being further configured to substantiallycover and protect the base plate and to receive a footgear mounting holepattern; and a stance adjuster being received in the rotator disk andconfigured to releasably engage the stance adjust key assemblage toadjustably fix the position of the rotator disk relative to the baseplate.
 10. The boot and binding rotation device according to claim 9,wherein the stance adjuster is a quick release pin and the stance adjustkey assemblage is a hole pattern of holes sized to receive the pin. 11.The boot and binding rotation device according to claim 9, furthercomprising: an actuator lanyard attached to the stance adjuster andoperable to actuate the stance adjuster.
 12. The boot and bindingrotation device according to claim 9, further comprising: at least onerotator post carried from the rotator disk; and at least one rotatorstop mounted to the retainer ring to limit the range of rotation of thedisk by engaging the at least one rotator post.
 13. The boot and bindingrotation device according to claim 9, further comprising: at least onerotator stop mounted to the retainer ring to limit the range of rotationof the disk by being adapted to engage an item selected from the groupincluding the stance adjuster and a portion of footgear mounted to theboot and binding rotation device.
 14. The boot and binding rotationdevice according to claim 9, wherein the retainer and rotator racesurfaces are configured to form a scarf splice joint.
 15. The boot andbinding rotation device according to claim 9, wherein the retainer androtator race surfaces are configured to form a half lap butt splicejoint.
 16. A boot and binding rotation device, comprising: a base plateconfigured with a stance adjust key hole pattern and to receive a boardmount hole pattern; a retainer ring formed with a retainer race surfaceabout an interior circumference and mounted about the base plate; arotator disk formed with a rotator race surface that is adapted tocooperate with the retainer race surface to form a half lap butt splicejoint, the disk being thereby rotatably captured by the retainer ring,the rotator disk being further configured with at least one rotator postand to substantially cover and protect the base plate and to receive afootgear mounting hole pattern; a stance adjuster being received in therotator disk and configured to releasably engage the stance adjust keyassemblage to adjustably fix the position of the rotator disk relativeto the base plate; and a rotator stop mounted to the retainer ring tolimit the range of rotation of the disk by engaging the at least onerotator post.
 17. The boot and binding rotation device according toclaim 16, wherein the stance adjuster is a quick release pin and thestance adjust key assemblage is a hole pattern of holes sized to receivethe pin.
 18. The boot and binding rotation device according to claim 16,further comprising: an actuator lanyard attached to the stance adjusterand operable to actuate the stance adjuster.
 19. The boot and bindingrotation device according to claim 16, wherein the retainer and rotatorrace surfaces are configured to form a scarf splice joint.
 20. The bootand binding rotation device according to claim 16, wherein the retainerand rotator race surfaces are configured to form a half lap butt splicejoint.